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Dominique
Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 141
Location: Juso, Osaka
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 Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 1:39 pm Post subject: White faced with Japanese Last Name |
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Hey
I was wondering what kind of reactions will I get when I arrive in Japan since I don't look Japanese but I have a Japanese last name, because of my father.
My TESL teacher told me to tell everyone I was adopted, so they don't question me about it.
My father told me that I would be considered in the uchi group because I have close relatives in Japan. I highly doubt this one.
Anyways, I am prepared for the confused look if I get that at all.
Would it be better to be honest, or tell them I married someone Japanese? I'd rather be honest  |
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AgentMulderUK
Joined: 22 Sep 2003
Posts: 360
Location: Concrete jungle (Tokyo)
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| Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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Well, unless you have your name written on your head, how is anyone going to know about it?
I wouldn't worry about it. If you are here to teach, then most schools don't really care if you come from Mars and your name is derived from Egyptian hieroglyphics. So long as you do what they need.
I wouldn't make any kind of assumption that the Japanese here will genuinely give 2 hoots.
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lajzar
Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Posts: 647
Location: Saitama-ken, Japan
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| Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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| You could also try saying it just happens to be a normal name were you come from too, and that you have no connection as such to Japan. I know Namura is a normal name in the near east and the semite parts of the Mediterranean. I'm sure there are other such coincidences. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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| It WILL be plastered on your head as far as students are concerned. They will see your full name in the company/school brochures. Just be honest about everything. You may even get a nice discussion started regarding your nissei, sansei, etc. status. |
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migo
Joined: 04 Jul 2004
Posts: 201
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 2:39 am Post subject: |
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| What's your last name? |
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Dominique
Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 141
Location: Juso, Osaka
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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funny you ask..
Nomura..
Which I hear is quite popular over there. |
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TokyoLiz
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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| I've met lots of Japanese-Americans/Canadians here and also people with mixed heritage. They all seem pretty well adjusted. If you're in Kanto, you're in good company. There are so many people of Japanese (and mixed) heritage here. |
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Dominique
Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 141
Location: Juso, Osaka
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| Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 1:29 am Post subject: |
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Cool.
I think it would be nice to meet more halfies .
I've only met 3 other people other than myself, that were half Japanese. |
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Lovechild
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:00 am Post subject: Re: White faced with Japanese Last Name |
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| Dominique wrote: |
Hey
I was wondering what kind of reactions will I get when I arrive in Japan since I don't look Japanese but I have a Japanese last name, because of my father.
My TESL teacher told me to tell everyone I was adopted, so they don't question me about it.
My father told me that I would be considered in the uchi group because I have close relatives in Japan. I highly doubt this one.
Anyways, I am prepared for the confused look if I get that at all.
Would it be better to be honest, or tell them I married someone Japanese? I'd rather be honest |
Yes better to be honest. I had teacher like you, she looked white and had Japanese family name. She speak Japanese pretty good, which made adjustment easier. After while, everyone accepted her as person. And everyone sorry when she went back to her country of birth. For her in Japan beginning difficult. Maybe no matter what beginning life in different country difficult.
If you know stories of how your family immigratated maybe help you win over students. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:10 am Post subject: |
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Lovechild
has any one ever told you you speak like Mr Miyagi in the Karate Kid movies? (I Miyagi, you student, you no fight, use heart not hand)
I am used to Japanese English but never quite heard anything like yours. |
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Lovechild
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:14 am Post subject: |
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| PAULH wrote: |
Lovechild
has any one ever told you you speak like Mr Miyagi in the Karate Kid movies? (I Miyagi, you student, you no fight, use heart not hand)
I am used to Japanese English but never quite heard anything like yours. |
I never saw Karate kids movie. I don't speak same as write. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:23 am Post subject: |
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| Lovechild wrote: |
| PAULH wrote: |
Lovechild
has any one ever told you you speak like Mr Miyagi in the Karate Kid movies? (I Miyagi, you student, you no fight, use heart not hand)
I am used to Japanese English but never quite heard anything like yours. |
I never saw Karate kids movie. I don't speak same as write. |
You seem to have a good command of English using words such as 'flabbergasted' but drop things like articles, prepositions, personal pronouns such as "I" out of sentences, almost like you are doing it on purpose. A kind of 'pidgin-English' you might say. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:42 am Post subject: |
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I wouldnt be surprised if Ive been talking to a 40 year old male foreign English teacher instead of an apparently young (late teens early 20's I'd say) Japanese female.
"Japana" on gaijinpot pulled the same stunt for about two weeks before he revealed he was a foreigner, not a Japanese bi-sexual, as he made himself out to be. |
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Eleckid
Joined: 03 Jun 2004
Posts: 102
Location: Aichi, Japan
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| Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2004 2:23 am Post subject: |
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Look, having a Japanese last name is no problem, cuz they go for the look first. Plus, halfs are real popular in Japan so I think they'll all think that you're cool & for sure will ask you many questions about your identity.
I'm asian. I look asian & my last name is a Chinese last name, so I get all the initial discriminations before any of the other teachers do. But I'm still honest with my students. I tell them that I was born in HK, & that I moved to Canada when I was really little, & that I'm bilingual. Although Japanese really look down on Chinese & Koreans, if they really think I'm not a good teacher based on my asian appearance, then they can just kiss my @$$ & change class.  Those ppl aren't good students either. But as time pass, they'll acknowledge your teaching ability & will look at you beyond your facial appearance.
So yeah, if I have no problem teaching here, then your last name shouldn't be a problem at all. Be proud of who you are. Good luck!  |
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guest of Japan
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Posts: 1601
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2004 4:51 am Post subject: |
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| Orange words are painful to read. |
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